Chestnuts

Very prickly was the verdict!

I entered the dappled green shadowy tunnel formed by numerous trees and shrubs which overhung the footpath up the hill and came across a beautiful chestnut tree. The dogs started mincing gingerly over the shells which were incredibly sharp and spiney!

The chestnut tree, deciduous like it's relations the oak and beech, drops it's outer shell, 'bur' or 'cupule' in October. Inside are about one to seven nuts according to the species and they usually open on the ground waiting for the right humidity. They were spookily, in the dim pale green light, dropping round me with little thuds in the grass and mud - never seen the dogs shift so fast - not their favourite place for a blip by any means! It was quite amusing to watch though!